Marcus Stroud signs 1-day contract to retire a Jaguar

Then-Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud acknowledges the fans in the north end zone during a Jacksonville victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 18, 2007.

As he worked to recover from a torn labrum and complications from the ensuing surgery, Marcus Stroud figured he’d have another shot at the NFL as he entered his mid-30s.

It didn’t happen for Stroud.

On Wednesday the three-time All-Pro defensive tackle signed a one-day contract to retire as a Jaguar, at peace with his decision.

“It’s definitely a tough decision but at the same time you have to realize you can’t play football forever, and there’s definitely a lot more things this life has to offer you,” Stroud said by phone.

Stroud returned to the team that drafted him, 13th overall in 2001, and with which he was a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He returned to a place where he and John Henderson made up a ferocious tandem on a strong Jaguars defense.

“That’s where I started my career, I consider Jacksonville like my second home,” Stroud said. “That’s where my quote unquote football family is based. That’s where I felt like I gained my notoriety. That’s where I’ve always been at heart. I’m a Jaguar from day one, and I’ll be a Jaguar now.”

Stroud played in 100 games with 84 starts in his seven years with the jaguars.

He faxed his contract in Wednesday morning. The Jaguars began the day with 89 players, so they didn’t need to make any moves to make room for Stroud. Jacksonville did cut three players and sign three players additionally on Wednesday.

Stroud retired after 10 seasons playing in the NFL. The Jaguars traded him to the Bills before the 2008 season.

“I was definitely hurt and saddened by it,” Stroud said. “But it’s part of the business and me being a business man, I had to keep going.”

Stroud played three seasons in Buffalo, suffering a torn labrum at the end of his time there. He had surgery to repair the injury, but developed a staph infection from the procedure that went undiagnosed for a while. Signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent in 2011, Stroud was quickly released in July when his injury was still not fully healed.

It took three arthroscopic shoulder surgeries before doctors finally cleaned the infection out of Stroud’s shoulder.

“My shoulder wasn’t where I needed it to be or wanted it to be and I didn’t want to go out there and try and mess up myself,” Stroud said. “… I was fighting an uphill battle and at the end it just wasn’t meant for me.”

Stroud came to the decision to retire a few weeks ago and contacted the Jaguars. He is the fifth player to sign a one-day contract to retire a Jaguar in addition to Tony Boselli, Donovin Darius, Paul Spicer and, most recently, Fred Taylor.

“Best memory in Jacksonville is just being able to play in that stadium with all those guys and all those fans, especially those fans in the north end zone,” Stroud said. “It was a rowdy crowd. … Being able to go out there and perform and play with guys like Fred Taylor, John Henderson, Mike Peterson, Deon Grant, Tony Brackens just to name a few.”

timkjagsfan-Tony Boselli was dealt to Houston before ending his career, but he is so devoted to the Jaguars and Jacksonville that he is one of our most outspoken advocates. Often players that were drafted by a team wish to retire to that team. It's a tribute to both the player and the team.

I realize these one day contracts are ceremonial in nature, but IMO they do little to cover over the cold, hard, dealings that occur often in the NFL.
First Taylor and now Stroud. Both were let go here because it was determined they were no longer of any use to the team. Then, at these "huggy/kissy" ceremonial signings, everyone puts on their smiley faces and lauds over how valuable these players were to the franchise. Its about as deep as a veneer finish.
I imagine in a couple years or so, we'll have Garrard back for his one day contract. I wonder how often, if ever, its done in other businesses where an employee is let go because the company no longer has any use for them, then at their retirement time, has that employee come back for a one day contract. I would think that would seem more like a slap in the face than an "honor".